BRAINTREE…39 CANVEY ISLAND…5 (London 3 Essex)

BRAINTREE RUGBY UNION FOOTBALL CLUB 2017/18 SEASON.
Any copy queries to BRUFC Publicity Officer John Troup on 07860-179347.

BRAINTREE…39 CANVEY ISLAND…5 (London 3 Essex)

RAMPANT Braintree made it four wins out of four as they continued their perfect start to the new season with a convincing win over Canvey Island at Robbs Wood on Saturday.
The black and ambers won possession straight from the visitors’ kick-off and immediately set about putting them under pressure.
After stiff initial resistance it only took eight minutes for Tree to make the breakthrough courtesy of a great pick up at the base of a retreating scrum by number eight John Smillie.
Smillie wriggled loose from the pack and spun the ball out to the backs for outside centre James Abbott to score an unconverted try in the corner. 5-0.
Ten minutes later another pick up by Smillie and loop round play from Darren Page led to a kick which triggered a foot race between fellow winger Keelan Joslin and his Canvey counterpart.
Joslin won the race and was able to crash over for try number two which Craig Willis converted to extend the home side’s lead to 12-0.
On 22 minutes full-back Dominic Dann got in on the act after Tree won line-out ball and fed it out wide for the supporting 15 to finish off. 17-0.
The hosts were in full cry by now and just three minutes later replacement wing James Moore scored after Tree won turn over ball on the halfway line to notch the last score of the half. 22-0.
It was more of the same after the break when Abbott grabbed his second try of the afternoon on 44 minutes following more turn over ball from a line-out. 27-0.
There was still life in the visitors and they hit back with a try on 66 minutes after pressuring Tree in their own 22 when they were a man down after a penalty count sin-binning got too high. 27-5.
But on 71 minutes Abbott completed his hat-trick following a fine run into Canvey territory by second row Matt Pickles.
The ball was recycled out of contact and after the ref played advantage Abbott was on hand to score and then convert his own try. 34-5.
The final act of the game saw Pickles break away again before finding scrum-half Billy Clark who raced through to score and seal a 39-5 victory.
BRUFC chair of selectors David Gilder said: “The margin of victory was unexpected as Canvey came with their usual large pack and put us under enormous pressure at scrum time.
“However, our defensive effort was incredible and once we rebuffed their expected pick and drive game they had little else to offer.
“It was a hard slog for the front eight but once again with ball in hand our back line was very impressive. It was a day when our defence gave us the platform to win the game decisively.”
Joint coach Brian Joslin added: “This was an awesome performance and in my opinion our best win to date.
“Our victory was built on disciplined defence and a very creative back line. Our forwards were up against it in the scrum but grew in strength as the game went on.
“They were far more dynamic around the park than Canvey and provided our backs with enough ball to show off their abundant skills.”
Tree return to London 3 Essex action a week on Saturday (Oct 21) when they travel to second placed Millwall, who sit four points behind them in the table.
BRUFC: Dann, Keelan Joslin, Abbott, Hine, Page, Adams, Clark, Hardin, W Turner, Perry, Apps, Mlambo, Willis, Carslake, Smillie. Reps: Colebrook, Pickles, J Moore.